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Harvey Norman celebrates 30 years of NSW/ACT Commercial Division
Harvey Norman celebrates 30 years of NSW/ACT Commercial Division
BY EMILY BENCIC
The NSW/ACT Harvey Norman Commercial Division hosted around 500 long-standing and loyal business partners including architects, builders, developers and major kitchen, bathroom and laundry suppliers, at Sydney’s Town Hall to celebrate 30 years since the NSW/ACT Commercial Division was established in 1994.
The formal gala evening commenced with a presentation from Harvey Norman NSW/ACT proprietor, David Cramond.
“I’d like to formally welcome you all to Harvey Norman Commercial’s 30th anniversary. I thought I would take you back to when it started,” Cramond told guests.
“In May 1994, I was the warehouse manager of the then Harvey Norman Miranda when a young Kent Jordan became employee number one. Our first sale was to D&W Plumbing run by Des White. In one of the early months, we turned over $30,000 and Alan came to the team of four asking if we thought we could do $300,000 by the end of the year. By the end of December, we hit around $3 million in sales.
“We started getting business around the Sutherland Shire and the inner west. A sales representative job in those early days was mainly walking on building sites, doing the deal in the sheds and writing orders on a piece of paper.
“Being a one stop shop and being able to supply all front of wall bathroom and kitchen products in these apartments gave us a boost. At the time no competitor could match our offer.”
Cramond then shared the three ‘ingredients’ he believes has contributed to Harvey Norman Commercial’s success.
FIRST INGREDIENT: CUSTOMERS
“Many of our customers past and present have become great friends over this journey. Last year, when I arrived back, we had around 5,500 active accounts. Thank you for your support, patience and understanding.
“Our state-of-the-art Casula distribution centre is up and running and performing better every day. Since we started operating there in January 2023, we have completed over 85,000 deliveries.”
SECOND INGREDIENT: SUPPLIERS
“Thank you for 30 years of support, partnership and in many cases friendship. Many years ago, founder and former NSW/ACT proprietor, Alan Stephenson said: ‘The best products from the best brands at the best price’, and this still stands today.
“I’d like to mention a few legends of the industry. Firstly, Allan King (formerly at Smeg), who sent me a message saying: ‘I was around when Harvey Norman Commercial started and with the commitment shown by your company and the people involved, we felt that it was bound to be successful and we wanted to fully support that. This was not necessarily the view of everyone in the appliance industry… how satisfying to prove them wrong’.
“Another legend, Tony Clarkson (formerly at Electrolux), who was instrumental throughout the journey and Sue Larkin (formerly at Caroma/GWA), who I believe has been asked many times who she actually works for.
“These three legends are all retired now and I wish them all the best.”
THIRD INGREDIENT: STAFF
“Our staff are the engine room to our success. We have 13 staff with over 25 years of service, 20 more with over 20 years of service and in total around one in four of our staff have served over 10 years with Harvey Norman Commercial. In 1994, we finished the year with six staff and today, we employ around 450 people.
“A special mention to Mathew Harvey, Steve Chrissimos, Joe Pulvirenti and Brendan Rowley, all with over 30 years of service with Harvey Norman/Harvey Norman Commercial.”
ALAN STEPHENSON
In his video address, Alan Stephenson, reflected on his time with Harvey Norman Commercial and the journey after presenting the idea to chairman, Gerry Harvey.
There was also a Q&A with home builders’ sales representative, Karen Benson and former (retired) sales representative and one of the first NSW/ACT Commercial employees, Kent Jordan, who shared their experiences with the business.
